Yakov Isaevich Neishtadt

Yakov Isaevich Neishtadt (, also transliterated Jakov Isajevich Nejstadt; 6 October 1923 – 23 March 2023) was a Soviet and Israeli chess player and author.

Biography Yakov Neishtadt was born in Moscow on 6 October 1923. During the Second World War he was a lieutenant commander of a rifle platoon. He participated in the battles of Kharkov, Krivoy Rog, Kirovograd, and Moldova, and was wounded twice, in 1942 and 1944. He received a number of military awards for his outstanding service during the war.

Neishtadt played chess at master level during the 1950s and 1960s, and was awarded the Soviet Master of Sport title in 1961. He was also awarded the title of Judge of the All-Union Category for Chess in 1975. He was executive secretary of the magazine Shakhmaty v SSSR from 1955 to 1973 and deputy editor, then editor in chief of 64 magazine from 1974 to 1979. Following this he was awarded the ICCF International Master title; in 2003 this title was upgraded to that of Senior International Master.

In the early 1990s Yakov Neishtadt settled in Beersheba, Israel, where he died on 23 March 2023, at the age of 99. While well over 90 years of age, he was still writing books and stayed in active touch with the chess community.

Books Shakhmaty do Steinitsa (Chess before Steinitz) (1961) Prinyati Ferzevy Gambit (Queen's Gambit Accepted) (1965); English edition 1997, Cadogan Katalanskoye Nachalo (Play the Catalan) (1969); English edition 1987, Pergamon Pervya Champion Mira (The First World Champion) (1971) 250 Lovushek i Kombinatsii (250 Traps and Combinations) (1973) Nekorovannye Championy (Uncrowned Champions) (1975) Po Sledam Debyutnykh Katastrof (Catastrophe in the Opening) (1979); English edition 1980, Pergamon Shakmatny Praktikum (Practical Chess) (1980) Test Your Tactical Ability (1981), Batsford Shakhmatny Universitet Paulya Keresa (Paul Keres, Chess Master Class) (1982); English edition 1983, Pergamon Siegbert Tarrasch (1983) Zhertva Ferzya (Queen Sacrifices) (1989); English edition 1991, Pergamon Your Move! (1990), Batsford (UK) and Collier (USA) Attacking the King (1991), Collier Winning Quickly with White (1996), Cadogan Winning Quickly with Black (1996), Cadogan Win in the Opening! Opening Mistakes and How to Punish Them (1997), Cadogan Improve Your Chess Tactics (2012), New in Chess